North Carolina has a variety of freshwater fishing destinations including rivers, trout streams, creeks, lakes, ponds, and other areas.
The state's major rivers include the Roanoke,
Neuse,
and Cape Fear.
North Carolina rivers sustain anadromous fish species including American shad, striped bass, river herring, and others.

A number of well known impoundments are found in North Carolina.
Lake Gaston, Kerr Lake,
and Lake Norman
have gained national recognition for their trophy-class fisheries.
For largemouth bass enthusiasts, Lake Mattamuskeet, and other impoundments offer outstanding fishing.

For fly fishermen, areas such as the Great Smoky Mountain State Park offer trout fishing.